Father allegedly leaves infant in car at casino

Published: Monday, January 12, 2009 at 10:20 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 12, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.

THIBODAUX -- A Houma man left his infant child unattended in a parked car for at least an hour while gambling at a Larose casino, the Lafourche Sheriff's Office said today.

Craig Bychurch, 27, 142 Wayne Ave., was charged with cruelty to a juvenile on Thursday. Judge John LeBlanc set his bond at $10,000 and issued a stay away order for Bychurch.

Police say Bychurch left his three-month-old strapped inside a car seat in the parking lot of Larose Truck Plaza and Casino located at 11825 La. 308. The Sheriff's Office did not say whether the child was a boy or a girl.

Police received word of the incident from an anonymous tip from someone in the parking lot, Lafourche Chief Deputy Bud Dill said. Witnesses told police the child had been in the car at least an hour.

"He was intoxicated but naturally we didn't catch him driving so we couldn't charge him with DWI," Dill said. "He gave no explanation at all."

Dill added, "I guess he pulled in the casino to gamble and left his kid in the car."

Police returned the child to its mother at work. The child's mother lives at the same address as Bychurch.

Bychurch has a lengthy criminal history, including an arrest for failing to register as a sex offender, Dill said.

<p>THIBODAUX -- A Houma man left his infant child unattended in a parked car for at least an hour while gambling at a Larose casino, the Lafourche Sheriff's Office said today.</p><p>Craig Bychurch, 27, 142 Wayne Ave., was charged with cruelty to a juvenile on Thursday. Judge John LeBlanc set his bond at $10,000 and issued a stay away order for Bychurch.</p><p>Police say Bychurch left his three-month-old strapped inside a car seat in the parking lot of Larose Truck Plaza and Casino located at 11825 La. 308. The Sheriff's Office did not say whether the child was a boy or a girl.</p><p>Police received word of the incident from an anonymous tip from someone in the parking lot, Lafourche Chief Deputy Bud Dill said. Witnesses told police the child had been in the car at least an hour.</p><p>"He was intoxicated but naturally we didn't catch him driving so we couldn't charge him with DWI," Dill said. "He gave no explanation at all."</p><p>Dill added, "I guess he pulled in the casino to gamble and left his kid in the car."</p><p>Police returned the child to its mother at work. The child's mother lives at the same address as Bychurch.</p><p>Bychurch has a lengthy criminal history, including an arrest for failing to register as a sex offender, Dill said.</p>